Teamwork, dreams work

"Without them," he said, "I probably would have gone home months ago."

There's a photo of Walsh from the morning after last week's wedding. He's crossing the finish line of a local 5-K. Beet-red, hung-over, just a few strides ahead of the top female finisher. Eighteen minutes are showing on the clock–a mediocre time for a high school boy. And yet, his head is back, his arms are raised.

But it's not what you think.

Walsh spent the first couple years of adulthood drinking too much, his weight ballooning, and when the market crashed in 2008, he found himself living at home on Long Island, aimless and depressed.

"Basically," Walsh told me, "I went out into the world and came back with my tail between my legs. It's interesting, because I'm never a very focused person, I can never do the same run two times in a row, but my first week back, I ran around my block–which is a mile and a half–seven days in a row. For me to go back out later in life, I needed to start with this little circle around me."

Only now does it occur to me that he could just as easily be talking about this world he and his teammates have built for themselves.

"Before the wedding," he continued, "I would run with these guys, and my form would be choppy, trying to keep up with them. And I'd just keep thinking you're not in shape, you're not in shape, you're not in shape. And then I went home and ran a s–t race–"

"This was the 5-K?"

"Yeah. But you know, I ran. I ran a race. Finally. I put on a singlet, I put on a number, and I ran something.

"And I came back, and I was just worried. Worried about a job, worried about being 28, worried about all of this–but then I go on these runs with you and Adam, and I realize I sort of feel pretty good. And then today, none of that worry from before my trip was there. I attribute a lot of that to Julian. Because Julian is willing to, like, start easy and then we'll roll. And Julian eventually went on to push the pace on the front group.

"A day like today makes it worth it. I toughed it out, things are starting to click, and. . .I looked like a runner."

Now, he closes up the grill and carries in one final plate of food. It's almost 9 p.m.; looks like we'll have leftovers. Amid the yawns, plans are hatched for tomorrow's workout. Looking around, I realize that the whole family is here. I am suddenly desperately nostalgic for my old roommates Ian and Jeff. I know what it's like to be in your twenties, to live with your best friends. That part I know. But there's something else here. For all we shared at 2928 Pine Street, the three of us dreamed three very different dreams. The part I don't know–the part I love–is watching these guys dream together.

Adapted from Runnersworld. Read the full article here.

Jurong Lake Run 2014

21 June 2014. I arrived at the race site about 15 minutes before the 6km race. I had decided to not set high expectations, nor make much preparation. Instead, just go and run a hard effort without fear.

As I eased my way to the front, I noticed that unlike previous races, a greater number of runners for this race towards the front were seemingly less competitive individuals. Consequently, it was worrying that the start would be messy due to the large number of people walking or jogging, despite queuing towards the start of the race pen.

The 6km race was flagged off promptly at 7.15pm. I was thankful for the time of the flag off, because the temperature today was searing. Based on others’ data, it was reported that the temperatures were about 32-35 degrees in the evening. As I expected, the flag off was indeed messy. It probably took me about 15 seconds to get past the start line (despite being about 10m away). After crossing the line, the first 100m was messy – forcing me to shift over to the pavement (instead of the road) to run.

About 300m into the race, when the road was finally clearer, I shifted back to the main road. I passed the 1km marker at about 4:00 and the second at 8:00. Slightly ahead of schedule for the first km, but it felt manageable. Overtook many less competitive individuals and possibly the more competitive runners as well. This was probably because of the rather delayed start (15 seconds – though not much – but the more competitive runners would probably have minimised their delay by less than 5 seconds). Passed a runner in a black vest but sensed that he was tracking me. Didn’t particularly enjoy setting the pace for a stranger. Overall, route was smooth for the first 2km.

Mild havoc towards the third km, when the routes of the 10km and 6km races combined. This meant weaving through the slower runners (the 10km race flag off was at 6.30pm) because naturally in Singapore, runners did not stick to any side of the road, leaving no clear path for the competitive individuals. After the 3km marker (about 12:08 due to the dodging), I told the runner in the black vest to stick with me because I knew this portion of the race would get tougher. I wanted someone to run with, not someone to follow me. However, he encouraged me to run my own race because he felt he could not hold on. By then, I recognised that my optimal goal of a sub 24 would not be possible with this crowd, hence I slowed down for him to stay with me for a period. Subsequently, after passing the 4km marker(16:16), I moved ahead of him.

It was a mess as I passed the bridge leading to the Chinese Gardens. The 2.5km fun run route had now merged with the other competitive categories. I could not stick to my pace – not because of fatigue – but because of the sheer volume of runners. They were nicely diffused through the pavement, leaving no clear path to run. Passed the 5km marker at 20:27. Noticed another fast runner in front of me (possibly running the 6km) and I decided to surge past him and it certainly felt good. It felt tactical – a quick surge to discourage a pursuit from him. A final turn towards the end point before I commenced my sprint finish – this time with much energy to spare because of the inability to expend it earlier due to the crowds.

I passed at 24:38 on my watch. I understood it was not a reflection of ability due to sub-optimal race conditions. Upon crossing the finish, volunteers promptly stopped me. I was surprised. However, they read ’17…’ (my bib number) then apologised and told me to move on. Could I have been mistaken for another category’s prize recipient?

Overall, this race was a quicker, shorter run (instead of the 10ks that I had been running). The temperature certainly wasn’t optimal for a good run, but this is by no fault of the organiser (Taman Jurong Community Sports Club). However, the merging of running routes for the various categories meant the faster 6km runners had to hazardously weave through throngs of runners.

Regarding race logistics, they handled the situation responsibly upon runners’ discovering that event tee sizings did not correspond to the initial measurements they posted (during the early bird registration phase, though this was modified subsequently). I would sharply contrast their rectification with Sundown Marathon 2014’s resolution of event tee measurement discrepancies, which the organiser (Hivelocity) did poorly.

This race has certainly made me look forward to passing the finish lines of additional shorter races (than the 10km). Nonetheless, for now, the more pressing race of my life would be passing my upcoming examinations on the 27^th and 30^th June 2014.

Running in my sleep, with the runner in black following me through to about 3km. Credit to Running Shots.

A good 13 days after the conclusion of the event, the official results are out and I rank 13 in my category (Men's Junior) based on Gun time. Nett time was better than I expected at 24:32. 

Run for your lives

I have to admit I found this rather funny. Credit to Run350's Facebook page.

Compassion, reciprocation

Sundown Marathon 2014

I remember being apprehensive about whether or not to sign up for the 10km two and a half months ago. I had missed the early bird price hence despite a promo code, it was certainly a rather expensive race. Nonetheless, this being one of the bigger running events in Singapore, I decided to give it a go as this very race was my first race I had ever participated in - the Sundown Full Marathon 2012. 

On my race calendar, this was perhaps one of the key races I had in mind, because I would have had about three months of training ever since deciding to take running more seriously again. My previous two 10km races were the 2XU Compression Run 2014 and the Run350 2014 - the former was my maiden 10km that I had not properly trained for, the latter was run with Ben.

The three months of training was uneventful. I certainly noticed gradual improvements. Three weeks ago though, when I tried to attempt a run at my projected race-pace(42:30), I was feeling a little apprehensive. Yet a week ago, when I did a 6.4km slightly-faster-than-race-pace run, I was beaming with confidence. I considered modifying my goal to sub-42. However, the week leading up to this race was not optimal after I seemed to struggle during workouts and even easy runs left my heart rate pretty high.

Cum race day itself, I did not feel that good. My tummy hurt in the day, though thankfully the pain subsided by the evening. Nonetheless, this drained a fraction of my confidence. Furthermore, I was feeling lethargic throughout the day. Yet there was little I could do, but hope that the race environment would help to overcome my lethargy. I was however aware that I do have mild night blindness, which makes physical activity in darker areas tougher and hence was hoping that the route later would be well-lit.

At 8.30pm, I took a quick shower and slipped on my contacts. Grabbed a bag (the rare occasion that I deposit my bag because I can arrive at the race venue early - this being a night run), threw in my valuables, some bottles, a towel, my race singlet with the bib attached and a pair of slippers. This certainly felt hectic - not an optimal state of mind to be in as it once again sapped my confidence.

Arrived at the site at 9.20pm and quickly deposited my bag. Subsequently walked around a little before heading to the start pens at 10.00pm. Jogged a bit at the back and attempted just a few strides before joining in the queue at the flag-off area. Usual sequence of events took place - warm-ups by fitness personnel, music performances etc. At 10.30pm, we were flagged off.

I had studied the 10km route as intently as I could, using Google Maps and the race map that was "not drawn to scale" (what other choice did I have?). The first km was very similar to Run350's and I hit the marker at 4:15 - right on pace though I could have started slower. It is said that people often start their runs too quickly - rightly so, because I do manage to overtake many runners in the later stages of every run. I never start too quickly because my first km is always slower or equal to my average pace for the entire run. 

Just before the Uturn along Nicoll Highway, I noticed the Kenyan (eventual winner) already ahead of the lead pack, leading solo. Subsequently, I saw the fast pack of leading locals and not long after, I made the Uturn myself. On a side note about Uturns - I tend to run a larger radius while most seem to stick as close to the barricades as possible - I wonder what is optimal?

As I continued the run, grabbed a drink of water at the hydration point. Didn't recall seeing the 2km marker and the clock was at 9mins+. Hit the 3km marker at 12:30 - that was good, but I didn't feel too good. Breathing, though not uncomfortable, was not my usual rhythm at this stage. As I head up Merdeka Bridge, I slowed, deliberately, due to the gradual uphill. Naturally, the parabola-shaped bridge afforded us a downhill stretch thereafter. Yet another Uturn before the junction of Sims Way/Mountbatten Road, after which runners passed by volunteers shouting out and recording our bib numbers, probably as a precautionary measure lest digital recording was erroneous. Once again, I faced the same Merdeka bridge and employed the same pacing strategy - slower on the uphill and faster on the downhill, though this undoubtedly took up precious seconds in adhering to an even effort.

The route was uneventful till just before the 7km marker, where I encouraged a fellow Caucasian that I had been following (whom now starting to fade) to stick with me. We stuck together as we hit the short but painful incline along Republic Avenue tunnel. I passed the 7km mark in about 29-flat. This was a confidence boost because I knew that if I stuck to my pace, the sub-42 was possible. Subsequently, the route took us towards Kallang River. This was to be the darkest part of the run - both my internal and external environment.

Just before the 7km marker, with the Caucasian runner. Credit to Running Shots.

For one, lighting was awful. After all, this was not the main road. What was done well was the placement of volunteers and marshals to guide runners to the correct path, though additional lightning would have been beneficial. My next complaint was the placement of the 8km marker - I'm certain there was an incorrect placement of either the 7km marker or the 8km marker, because my km split was about 4:50 (I hit the 8km marker at 33:52). From my judgement of pace, coupled with the fact that I was overtaking runners, I was certain that I was running at a sub 4:20 pace. Consequently, with slightly past 8 minutes to spare for my final 2km, I recognised it was near impossible to achieve the sub-42. However, I clung on to the pace, hoping that the 8km mark was further than it should have been and that the finish would be at the 10km mark, trying my best not to lose confidence. However, it was admittedly tough because I felt the tinge of lethargy and the body's unwillingness to increase my pace - this I shall attribute to the inability to adapt to night running.

I was unable to locate a 9km marker and instead knew, or suspected, that the end was very near when I saw the Start and Finish lines in sight. At that moment, the clock was ticking away in the mid 40s. Based on my study of the route, I knew the Uturn before the finish would be perhaps 35metres before Sheares Bridge, possibly requiring another 400m of running on my part. A faint glimmer of hope for the sub-42. However, I was to be proven wrong.

The Uturn only came after we were under the bridge. This meant an additional 70metres (35 x 2) of running, rendering it impossible for me to cover the 470m with sufficient pace. Naturally, this realisation took its toll on my pace and I crossed the finish as the clock hit the upper 42s.

This is my first 10km road race that I'm confident I did actually cover a full 10km (possibly even more based on others' GPS data!). I suspected 2XU's to be 100m short (I crossed in 43:13 NETT having barely started training) and Run350's was easily 400m short. Though I may have fallen short of my goal, I am thankful for this run - for the weather (no rain), for the skies (starry lit!), for the privilege of just being able to run - all these I attribute to God. I write this to remind myself to parallel my running experiences with the race that I run for Christ.

At the home stretch. Credit to Marathon-Photos.

Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:12-14

Sundown finally updated my NETT timing on the evening of the 5th of June, nearly 5 full days after my race concluded. I believe the staff is working tirelessly as they continue to update the many runners that encountered 'unforeseen environmental and magnetic interference present at the start-line'. However, I do hope that they invest in reliable technology for subsequent events to come to appease the multitude of dissatisfied runners.

Nonetheless, to end on a happier note, a new PB over 10km (may even longer?)